Guidebook for Memphis
Food Scene
The BEST donuts in the whole world! Try the Maple Bacon........yuuuuuuummmm!
43 locals recommend
Gibson's Donuts
760 Mt Moriah RdThe BEST donuts in the whole world! Try the Maple Bacon........yuuuuuuummmm!
Central BBQ - Summer
4375 Summer AveFantastic BBQ close to our house! I love the smoked turkey.
Best dry ribs in the entire city (maybe the whole world!). Also has a very cool atmosphere and cheap beer.
101 locals recommend
The Rendezvous
52 S 2nd StBest dry ribs in the entire city (maybe the whole world!). Also has a very cool atmosphere and cheap beer.
The cupcakes are unreal. I have no idea how they make icing that smooth and delicious!!
37 locals recommend
Muddy's Bake Shop
5101 Sanderlin AveThe cupcakes are unreal. I have no idea how they make icing that smooth and delicious!!
Yes, it's in the Lowe's parking lot. But it sure has some amazing food!! Try the brisket sandwich or the shrimp tacos.
41 locals recommend
Elwood's Shack
4523 Summer AveYes, it's in the Lowe's parking lot. But it sure has some amazing food!! Try the brisket sandwich or the shrimp tacos.
One of my family's all-time favorite Mexican restaurants!!! The chorizo tacos and the gringa tacos are excellent. Their guac and cheese tip are also delicious! (They also deliver through Memphis' Meals in Motion service for a $4.99 fee - soooo worth it!)
24 locals recommend
Las Delicias
4002 Park AveOne of my family's all-time favorite Mexican restaurants!!! The chorizo tacos and the gringa tacos are excellent. Their guac and cheese tip are also delicious! (They also deliver through Memphis' Meals in Motion service for a $4.99 fee - soooo worth it!)
It's "world famous" for a reason... and super spicy!
47 locals recommend
Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken
730 S Mendenhall RdIt's "world famous" for a reason... and super spicy!
Great Memphis BBQ! The location near us has a drive-thru if you don't want to get out of your car.
28 locals recommend
Corky's Ribs & BBQ
5259 Poplar AveGreat Memphis BBQ! The location near us has a drive-thru if you don't want to get out of your car.
Muddy's Bake Shop
5101 Sanderlin AveIntimate steakhouse that's one of Memphis' finest.
Amazing local Italian! You can take it away or eat in their small cafe.
Lucchesi's Ravioli & Pasta Company
540 S Mendenhall RdAmazing local Italian! You can take it away or eat in their small cafe.
The Sear Shack Burgers and Fries
5101 Sanderlin AveBlue Plate Cafe
113 Court AveFantastic breakfast place!
Owen Brennan's
6150 Poplar AveCajun food!
Memphis Pizza Cafe
2087 Madison AveTasty pizza joint!
Wonderful Indian restaurant with lunch buffet everyday and a dinner buffet Friday and Saturday nights.
Mayuri Indian Cuisine
6524 Quince RdWonderful Indian restaurant with lunch buffet everyday and a dinner buffet Friday and Saturday nights.
Sekisui Pacific Rim
4724 Poplar AveLove their sushi and the restaurant has a great vibe.
Really yummy sea food, including fried and grilled fish, shrimp, and tasty fried green tomatoes.
86 locals recommend
Soul Fish Cafe
862 Cooper StReally yummy sea food, including fried and grilled fish, shrimp, and tasty fried green tomatoes.
I think this is my second mention of Local! It's a great restaurant anytime (try the fried Brussels!), but it's also a chill place to have a drink and hang out before/after a play at Playhouse on the Square or a movie at the Malco Studio.
42 locals recommend
LOCAL On The Square
2126 Madison AveI think this is my second mention of Local! It's a great restaurant anytime (try the fried Brussels!), but it's also a chill place to have a drink and hang out before/after a play at Playhouse on the Square or a movie at the Malco Studio.
Serves and sells my all-time favorite BBQ sauce (The Dancing Pigs BBQ sauce). They even have BBQ spaghetti!
77 locals recommend
The Bar-B-Q Shop
1782 Madison AveServes and sells my all-time favorite BBQ sauce (The Dancing Pigs BBQ sauce). They even have BBQ spaghetti!
Otherlands Coffee Bar
641 Cooper StFunky, cool midtown coffee shop. Love the vibe here!
This is the midtown location of our favorite bakery in Memphis (also highly recommended and an easy 5-minute drive from the guest house). Great coffee, amazing sweets!
64 locals recommend
Muddy's Bake Shop + Coffee
585 Cooper StThis is the midtown location of our favorite bakery in Memphis (also highly recommended and an easy 5-minute drive from the guest house). Great coffee, amazing sweets!
One of East Memphis' favorite local restaurants. If you're a pizza lover, you'll be wowed by the THUNDERBIRD! 40 TWICE! pizza (fontina, mozzarella, pepperoni, calabrese, spicy honey)
43 locals recommend
Hog & Hominy
707 W Brookhaven CirOne of East Memphis' favorite local restaurants. If you're a pizza lover, you'll be wowed by the THUNDERBIRD! 40 TWICE! pizza (fontina, mozzarella, pepperoni, calabrese, spicy honey)
Curbside is only open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays because they're so busy preparing their ready-to-bake or serve classic southern recipes. But if you want to stay in and have a homecooked meal that you can throw in the guest house oven, this is the place to get it. They even have a drive-thru!
Curb Side Casseroles
5130 Wheelis DrCurbside is only open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays because they're so busy preparing their ready-to-bake or serve classic southern recipes. But if you want to stay in and have a homecooked meal that you can throw in the guest house oven, this is the place to get it. They even have a drive-thru!
Drinks & Nightlife
There's too much to even list about Overton Square - theaters, restaurants, bars, everything. Full night of entertainment here!
177 locals recommend
Overton Square
2101 Madison AveThere's too much to even list about Overton Square - theaters, restaurants, bars, everything. Full night of entertainment here!
Beale Street Entertainment District
Beale StreetLaura's favorite local brewery. Try the Ananda IPA if you're into hoppy beers!
84 locals recommend
Wiseacre Brewery
2783 Broad AveLaura's favorite local brewery. Try the Ananda IPA if you're into hoppy beers!
Every day, the famous Peabody ducks come down from their rooftop Duck Palace to swim in the lobby fountain at 11am and then march back up at 5pm. It's fun to have a drink in the lobby bar and watch the scene!
126 locals recommend
The Peabody Memphis
149 Union AveEvery day, the famous Peabody ducks come down from their rooftop Duck Palace to swim in the lobby fountain at 11am and then march back up at 5pm. It's fun to have a drink in the lobby bar and watch the scene!
Fantastic cocktails and a very calm, cool vibe. This is one of many fantastic restaurants and bars in the historic Cooper Young Neighborhood.
64 locals recommend
Alchemy Memphis
940 Cooper StFantastic cocktails and a very calm, cool vibe. This is one of many fantastic restaurants and bars in the historic Cooper Young Neighborhood.
Fantastic dive bar that's in an old building on South Main Street that used to be a brothel. Great juke box and fun dance floor. Late, late at night when you're hungry, try the SOUL BURGER. You won't be disappointed in this local Memphis hangover prevention grub!
89 locals recommend
Earnestine & Hazel's
531 S Main StFantastic dive bar that's in an old building on South Main Street that used to be a brothel. Great juke box and fun dance floor. Late, late at night when you're hungry, try the SOUL BURGER. You won't be disappointed in this local Memphis hangover prevention grub!
Brookhaven Pub & Grill
695 W Brookhaven CirJust a fun local place to grab a beer with friends.
Lafayette's Music Room
2119 Madison AveAmazing food AND live music! Highly recommended!!
Parks & Nature
So much to do in this park - kayaking, hiking, frisbee golf, horseback riding. And it's really easy to get there from our house on the Greenline! There's a beautiful new Visitor's Center and an amazing restaurant overlooking the lake: The Kitchen.
223 locals recommend
Shelby Farms Park
6903 Great View Dr NSo much to do in this park - kayaking, hiking, frisbee golf, horseback riding. And it's really easy to get there from our house on the Greenline! There's a beautiful new Visitor's Center and an amazing restaurant overlooking the lake: The Kitchen.
Overton Park is one of Memphis' biggest treasures. It's right in the middle of town, and it includes the Levitt Shell (outdoor concerts), the fantastic Memphis Zoo, The Brooks Museum of Art, and beautiful Old Forest trails. If you have kids, the Rainbow Lake playground is a popular spot to burn off some energy.
160 locals recommend
Overton Park
1914 Poplar AveOverton Park is one of Memphis' biggest treasures. It's right in the middle of town, and it includes the Levitt Shell (outdoor concerts), the fantastic Memphis Zoo, The Brooks Museum of Art, and beautiful Old Forest trails. If you have kids, the Rainbow Lake playground is a popular spot to burn off some energy.
The River Walk is a cool model of the entire Mississippi River that stretches the length of the park. Kids can splash around in the water and walk all the way to the "Gulf of Mexico" at the south end of the park. Riding the monorail across the harbor to the park (or walking the pedestrian walkway) is lots of fun.
9 locals recommend
Mud Island River Park - Monorail Station
125 N Front StThe River Walk is a cool model of the entire Mississippi River that stretches the length of the park. Kids can splash around in the water and walk all the way to the "Gulf of Mexico" at the south end of the park. Riding the monorail across the harbor to the park (or walking the pedestrian walkway) is lots of fun.
The Greenbelt park is located on Harbortown, a community of stylish homes on the Mississippi River. The park is a great place to just sit and watch Ol' Man River flow past. (And if you want a treat afterwards, Miss Cordelia's grocery store on the Island has some great local snacks.)
6 locals recommend
Greenbelt Park
830 Island DrThe Greenbelt park is located on Harbortown, a community of stylish homes on the Mississippi River. The park is a great place to just sit and watch Ol' Man River flow past. (And if you want a treat afterwards, Miss Cordelia's grocery store on the Island has some great local snacks.)
We love our local garden! It has some beautiful walking trails and the kid's area (My Big Backyard) is an incredible place to visit. The Botanic Garden Concert Series also host some great concerts from late Spring to early Fall. They honor reciprocal memberships, so if you belong to your local Botanic Garden, let them know.
113 locals recommend
Memphis Botanic Garden
750 Cherry RdWe love our local garden! It has some beautiful walking trails and the kid's area (My Big Backyard) is an incredible place to visit. The Botanic Garden Concert Series also host some great concerts from late Spring to early Fall. They honor reciprocal memberships, so if you belong to your local Botanic Garden, let them know.
We have a new bike/walking path that allows you to cross the Mississippi River. Highly recommended! And afterwards, stop at Loflin Yard for a unique outdoor bar/restaurant/hang out place. It's hard to describe - an urban bar with games, beer and live music on the property of an old locksmith/key factory?
39 locals recommend
Big River Crossing
Big River CrossingWe have a new bike/walking path that allows you to cross the Mississippi River. Highly recommended! And afterwards, stop at Loflin Yard for a unique outdoor bar/restaurant/hang out place. It's hard to describe - an urban bar with games, beer and live music on the property of an old locksmith/key factory?
For some reason, everyone just loves visiting the Crystal Shrine Grotto in Memorial Park just a few miles from us. I'm not sure what it's all about since I've never been, but if you go, tell me all about it!
9 locals recommend
Crystal Shrine Grotto | Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery
5668 Poplar AveFor some reason, everyone just loves visiting the Crystal Shrine Grotto in Memorial Park just a few miles from us. I'm not sure what it's all about since I've never been, but if you go, tell me all about it!
Shopping
I could get lost in Burke's Bookstore (used and new books) for hours.
26 locals recommend
Cooper-Young Historic District
2120 Young AveI could get lost in Burke's Bookstore (used and new books) for hours.
Liquor/wine store with one of the best selections in Memphis. They also have a great selection of keg beers they sell in growlers.
10 locals recommend
Buster's Liquors & Wines
191 S Highland StLiquor/wine store with one of the best selections in Memphis. They also have a great selection of keg beers they sell in growlers.
Oooooh, I don't like to shop. But if you want to or need to, Wolfchase is the mall I'd recommend. There are also many, many big box stores along Germantown Parkway. We even have an IKEA now - go Memphis!
35 locals recommend
Wolfchase Galleria
2760 N Germantown PkwyOooooh, I don't like to shop. But if you want to or need to, Wolfchase is the mall I'd recommend. There are also many, many big box stores along Germantown Parkway. We even have an IKEA now - go Memphis!
If you're already visiting Beale Street during the day, I'd highly recommend wandering into this store. One time I found a bottle of floor wash that was also a bubble bath. Huh??
11 locals recommend
A. Schwab
163 Beale StIf you're already visiting Beale Street during the day, I'd highly recommend wandering into this store. One time I found a bottle of floor wash that was also a bubble bath. Huh??
Target
5959 Poplar AveThis is our closest Target.
Everything Else
Only in Memphis - a sporting goods store inside a pyramid. Definitely visit the observation deck via the elevator in the middle of the building.
199 locals recommend
Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid
1 Bass Pro DrOnly in Memphis - a sporting goods store inside a pyramid. Definitely visit the observation deck via the elevator in the middle of the building.
Arts & Culture
The museum incorporates the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. Powerful exhibits with new interactive displays.
319 locals recommend
National Civil Rights Museum - Lorraine Motel
450 Mulberry StThe museum incorporates the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. Powerful exhibits with new interactive displays.
Stax Museum of American Soul Music
926 E McLemore AveIMAX theater and Planetarium - fun for adults and kids! It looks like parts of the main museum are under construction until June 2018, so please check their website for current information. But here's the description lifted from their website:
The Pink Palace Museum is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the Southeast. Explore the cultural and natural history of the Mid-South through exciting exhibits, dioramas, and audio-visuals. Trace Memphis' development from the time of Spanish explorers through the Civil War and the yellow fever epidemics. Learn from the award-winning medical exhibit how health care grew to be Memphis' largest industry.
61 locals recommend
Pink Palace Museum and Planetarium
3050 Central AvenueIMAX theater and Planetarium - fun for adults and kids! It looks like parts of the main museum are under construction until June 2018, so please check their website for current information. But here's the description lifted from their website:
The Pink Palace Museum is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the Southeast. Explore the cultural and natural history of the Mid-South through exciting exhibits, dioramas, and audio-visuals. Trace Memphis' development from the time of Spanish explorers through the Civil War and the yellow fever epidemics. Learn from the award-winning medical exhibit how health care grew to be Memphis' largest industry.
Entertainment & Activities
Graceland
ELVIS!!!!
Our East Memphis movie theater. Lots of great restaurants nearby, and there's even a Ben and Jerry's across the parking lot for an ice cream treat before/after your movie.
28 locals recommend
Malco Paradiso Cinema Grill And IMAX
584 S Mendenhall RdOur East Memphis movie theater. Lots of great restaurants nearby, and there's even a Ben and Jerry's across the parking lot for an ice cream treat before/after your movie.
Orpheum Theatre
203 S Main StLovely old theater that hosts small local concerts and musicals.
Our baseball stadium is gorgeous! We love our Redbirds! If you get a chance to catch a game, do it!
73 locals recommend
AutoZone Park
200 Union AveOur baseball stadium is gorgeous! We love our Redbirds! If you get a chance to catch a game, do it!